AIRMAN'S FAREWELL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 303, 23 December 1941, Page 4

AIRMAN'S FAREWELL

REMARKABLE LAST LETTER (0.C.) SYDNEY, December 17. A remarkable last letter from the late Pilot-Officer W. H. Millington, D.F.C., of the R.A.F., has been received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Millington, of EdwardsI town, Adelaide. The letter was written before their son was posted as ' "presumed killed in action* and was forwarded to them by Miss Celia Macdonald, C.8.E., of the Isles off the west coast of Scotland. Miss Macdonald is a sister of the present Lord of the Isles, Sir Godfrey Macdonald. The letter is as follows:— "My Dear Parents.—l have asked Miss Macdonald, of the Isles, who has been a particularly good friend to me, to forward this short note, together with any of my personal effects you may desire, in the event of some untoward incident. "I go forth to battle light of heart and determined to do my bit for the noble cause for which my country is fighting. Having studied the subject from all angles, I am certain that freedom, liberty, and democracy will eventually prove victorious, whatever the cost. "Since leaving home I have endeavoured to live up to standards dictated by honour and chivalry, and am sure that I have not failed you. For any sorrow or suffering I may have caused, I sincerely apologise, but please do not grieve over my passing. I would not have it otherwise. "The companionship of men with similar interests, the intoxication of speed, the rush of air, and the pulsating beat of tha motor awaken some answering chord deep down which is indescribable. FarewelL Your loving son. Bill." I